Erin Swinney (she/her) is a native Memphian who has worked in Finance for ten years. She is currently a Transitions Consultant for Raymond James and Associates, a traveling teacher for Financial Advisors that assists with Mergers and Acquisitions. Active in Memphis’ LGBTQ+ community for decades, Erin’s contributions include founding outreach programs for masculine of center lesbians, speaking at college Gay Student Alliances, serving as a trustee of affirming churches, and building networks of LGBTQ+ resource groups for advocacy in the corporate sector.

She served as the Local Chair of the Raymond James Pride Inclusion Network, the MassMutual Financial Group Pride ERG and as the former board chairman of OutMemphis, she helped build the Youth Emergency Center to shelter discarded LGBT youth. She now serves as the President of both the MidSouth LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the House of Memphis PAC. She serves on the board of the Tennessee Equality Project, and Troo Alternatives CDC/ReDream. She teaches others how to leverage the strength of Employee Resource Groups within Fortune 500 companies to benefit local nonprofits and community stakeholders. She believes the MidSouth is ready to lead the way in diversity and industry, and that collaboration is the way to ensure that Memphis realizes its full potential.

Nancy Brownlee is a seasoned serial entrepreneur, pitch coach, and certified master life coach with a passion for empowering individuals and businesses to reach their fullest potential. With several years of experience in launching and scaling successful ventures across diverse industries, Nancy has a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities that entrepreneurs face.
As a pitch coach, Nancy has helped countless startups refine their messaging and present their ideas with confidence. Her expertise in storytelling and strategic communication enables her clients to effectively engage investors and stakeholders, resulting in successful funding and partnerships. Nancy’s hands-on approach, combined with her keen insights, has made her a sought-after mentor in the entrepreneurial community.

In addition to her coaching work, Nancy is a certified master life coach, specializing in personal development and goal setting. She believes that success begins with a strong mindset and offers tailored coaching sessions that help her clients overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams. Her holistic approach combines practical strategies with motivational techniques, fostering both personal and professional growth.

Nancy holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration w/emphasis in Marketing, Master of Public Administration, and currently is pursuing her DBA in Business Administration from South University. She also has participated in numerous entrepreneurial workshops and seminars, continuously honing her skills and knowledge. She is also a frequent speaker at industry events, sharing her insights on entrepreneurship, pitching, and life coaching.

John D Smith is a real estate attorney with 25 years in the industry, and currently serves as Midsouth LGBT Chamber’s Treasurer. John graduated with a B.A. from The University of Memphis in 2005, and with a J.D. from the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in 2010. John enjoys working with clients to acquire and protect their assets, and strengthening our community through networking and advocacy. In his free time, John eats. A lot.

Ray Rico is a bi-lingual Latinx entrepreneur and LGBT+ business leader specializing in advertising and marketing strategies for companies in Memphis and beyond.

His first company, Ray Rico Freelance, is a locally owned and operated digital marketing strategy company, launched in 2007. Rico also serves as managing Publisher for Focus Mid-South serving the area’s LGBT+ and allies communities.

Rico is a U of M alumn and has had extensive training in communications design, business management, and development. through initiatives like Leadership Memphis, NGLCC Cohorts, ICIC Business Capital Planning, Babson College Executive Track, and XLR8 Capacity Building.

Lena Chipman (she/they) is a dynamic technology executive and LGBTQ+ advocate who brings together cutting-edge technical expertise with passionate community leadership. As Managing Director of Technology Transformation at Concentrix, she guides companies through digital transformation with innovative API strategy and enterprise solutions, while her published works in peer-reviewed outlets establish her as a recognized thought leader in the field. A proud transgender woman who identifies as bisexual and polyamorous, she channels her “Main Character Energy for Good Trouble” into creating positive change across both the corporate and nonprofit sectors.

Her dedication to the LGBTQ+ community is reflected in her numerous leadership roles, serving as Board Member and Secretary of the MidSouth LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Board Member and Operations Director of Mid-South Trans Nation, and Executive Director of the House of Memphis PAC. Known for her welcoming spirit and declaration that “a stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet,” Lena openly offers herself as a resource for those seeking support, especially individuals looking to come out or simply needing a friendly ear. She holds a Master of Science in Cognitive Psychology from the University of Memphis and is currently pursuing an MBA from Quantic School of Business and Technology, combining her technical innovation with community leadership to make meaningful change in Memphis and beyond.

Krista Wright Thayer is the current Manager of Health Services at the Shelby County Health Department and former Director of Outreach and Prevention at Friends For All. She is a PhD student at the University of Memphis in the Urban Affairs and Public Policy program. She is on the board of the LGBT Chamber of Commerce as the Advocacy Chair, the secretary of the political action committee House of Memphis and is a member of the TN HIV Modernization Coalition. Her goals include the removal of barriers to care for everyone and a focus on stigma reduction. Please quote her as saying, “We all deserve joy!”

Vanessa Rodley is a distinguished figure in the LGBTQ+ community, known for her leadership, innovation, and dedication to making a difference. She started volunteering in the community in 2010. By 2011, she became the Festival Director for Mid-South Pride, and in 2012, she joined the organization’s Board of Directors. Under her leadership, the event has grown from an attendance of 4,000 to an astonishing 58,000. Her adaptability was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she led her team in delivering over 20 hours of virtual content for two years. This period also saw the birth of “Drag N Drive,” a popular drive-in event combining movies and drag shows. Thanks to her vision, what was once a one-day event is now a four-day weekend celebration that continues to expand. In 2023, even amidst a challenging political climate, Vanessa led Mid-South Pride in hosting 50+ drag performers, showcasing resilience and defiance against anti-drag sentiment while continuing to celebrate diversity and inclusion.

Vanessa’s activism extends beyond Mid-South Pride. She is a board member of Friends of George’s, a drag-centric theatre company she has been part of since 2011. The company produces three productions annually, raising funds for local LGBTQ+ non-profits. In 2023, Vanessa’s commitment to LGBTQ+ rights was evident when she served as a key witness in Friends of George’s legal victory against the State of Tennessee, successfully stopping a proposed drag ban. This landmark case highlighted her dedication to equality and justice.

Professionally, Vanessa has an extensive background in management and operations, with 23 years of experience. She spent a decade in the grocery distribution industry, where she rose to the position of Outbound Manager, overseeing over 200 employees. Currently, she serves as the Operations Manager for New Urban Media, an online business management company. Her expertise in strategic planning and logistics has not only fueled her professional success but has also been instrumental in her volunteer efforts. Vanessa has led the strategic planning and marketing initiatives for Mid-South Pride, further solidifying its reputation as one of the premier Pride organizations in the region.

Vanessa’s influence extends to mentorship and community development. She actively mentors and coaches local individuals in leadership and event logistics, always willing to lend her expertise to help others succeed. Her contributions to the broader LGBTQ+ movement include serving on the USA Prides (InterPride) National Board, representing the Southern Region, and participating in several advisory boards/committees in Memphis.

Originally from Los Angeles, Vanessa moved to Memphis, TN, 17 years ago and is happy to call this home!

Serving on the board of the MidSouth LGBT Chamber of Commerce is important to me because I believe in the power of representation, equity, and economic empowerment. This year, I hope to strengthen partnerships, expand access to resources, and help the Chamber create a lasting impact for the LGBTQ+ business community.